superwhisper offline: what runs locally, and what still needs a connection
By Ryleigh Newman · Published
Yes, superwhisper works offline. Its documentation says local voice models transcribe without an internet connection, and every Whisper model, including the ones on the free plan, runs on your device. AI formatting is the part to watch: offline it needs a local language model, and other AI processing needs the internet.
I make YapToText, which also runs offline, so this is a page about a close rival. The superwhisper facts are from its docs, read on October 9, 2026.
This app is completely free. You don't have to make an account. There are no subscriptions, no difficult downloads, and nothing is locked. Made for Apple silicon Macs. Source on GitHub.
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What runs on your device
From superwhisper's Voice models and Sensitive Data pages, read October 9, 2026.
| Model | Plan | Notes from the docs |
|---|---|---|
| Whisper models, Tiny to Large v3 | Free | All local, through whisper.cpp. Large v3 Turbo is 1.6 GB. |
| Parakeet and Parakeet Multilanguage | Pro | Local. Multilanguage covers 24 languages. |
| Cohere Transcribe | Pro | Local, the docs' most accurate local model, 14 languages, 1.3 GB. |
| S1-mini | Pro | A local language model, for AI formatting with no data leaving the device. |
Pair a local voice model with a local language model, or with no language model at all, and the docs say no audio or text leaves your machine.
What needs a connection
- Cloud voice models. S1-Voice and the other cloud models run on hosted servers.
- Most AI formatting. The docs say offline formatting needs the local S1-mini model in the Message or Mail mode. Other AI processing needs the internet.
- A mode set to a cloud model. A mode only works offline if both of its models are local, so check each mode you use.
The simplest fully local setup in the docs is the Voice to Text mode with a local voice model, which outputs the raw transcript with no language model involved.
Offline on the free plan
The free plan is already local: unlimited dictation with local Whisper models, and the docs say nothing you dictate leaves your device. What it does not have is AI formatting, because AI modes are Pro.
YapToText offline, for comparison
- Both stages local, free. Its speech model and its cleanup model both run on the Mac, so formatting works offline with nothing to buy.
- Nothing to set up. The App Store build ships both models, so it dictates with Wi-Fi off from the first launch.
- Narrower. It runs only on Apple silicon Macs with macOS 14 or later, it offers Whisper models only, and it has 29 languages plus auto-detect.
This app is completely free. You don't have to make an account. There are no subscriptions, no difficult downloads, and nothing is locked. Made for Apple silicon Macs. Source on GitHub.
The offline dictation guide shows how to check any app with the network off, and the page on Wispr Flow offline covers a rival that cannot do it.
The short version
- Yes, it works offline. Local voice models need no connection, and every Whisper model is free.
- Formatting is the catch. Offline formatting needs a local language model, and most AI processing needs the internet.
- Check each mode. A mode is offline only if both of its models are local.
- YapToText. Both stages local and free, on an Apple silicon Mac.
If superwhisper's models or plans change and this page falls behind, open an issue on GitHub. Every one gets read.
This app is completely free. You don't have to make an account. There are no subscriptions, no difficult downloads, and nothing is locked. Made for Apple silicon Macs. Source on GitHub.
Related
Sources
- https://superwhisper.com/docs/get-started/introduction (checked 2026-10-09)
- https://superwhisper.com/docs/security/sensitive-data (checked 2026-10-09)
- https://superwhisper.com/docs/models/voice (checked 2026-10-09)
- https://superwhisper.com/docs/billing/plans (checked 2026-10-09)
- https://github.com/ryleighnewman/YapToText (checked 2026-10-09)
- https://apps.apple.com/us/app/yaptotext/id6786382289 (checked 2026-10-09)
Questions
Does superwhisper work offline?
Yes. Its docs say local voice models transcribe without an internet connection. AI formatting offline needs a local language model in a supported mode.
Is superwhisper's free version offline?
Yes. The free plan uses local Whisper models, and the docs say nothing you dictate leaves your device. AI formatting is a Pro feature.
Which superwhisper models are local?
Every Whisper model, Parakeet and Parakeet Multilanguage, and Cohere Transcribe, per its docs. Parakeet and Cohere Transcribe need Pro.
Is superwhisper HIPAA compliant?
Its docs describe two setups for healthcare: fully local models, where no data leaves the device, or named cloud models with a BAA you sign with superwhisper. Whether your use is compliant is your organization's decision.
Does YapToText work offline?
Yes. The App Store build ships its speech and cleanup models, so dictation and formatting both work with Wi-Fi off, free.